Onions are among the foods that your dog should not consume, as ingestion can lead to poisoning. Learn more.
Can Dogs Eat Onions?
Your furry friend should definitely steer clear of onions and other members of the onion family, such as garlic. Even small amounts can cause poisoning symptoms and, in the worst case, lead to anemia. The culprit is Alliin, a sulfur-containing amino acid found in onions, which destroys the hemoglobin in your dog’s red blood cells. Consequently, onions are considered inedible and toxic for your beloved pet.
Which Onion Family Members are Toxic to Dogs?
Not only our common vegetable onion but also other onion family members contain the Alliin that is dangerous for dogs and should therefore not be in your pet’s bowl. Potentially toxic onion family members include:
- Vegetable onion
- Garlic
- Chives
- Leeks
- Shallots
- Spring onions
- Wild garlic
If you want to treat your pet, give him tasty dog treats, a crunchy carrot, or steam some broccoli or cauliflower for him instead.
How to Recognize Onion Poisoning in Dogs?
Even a medium-sized onion can cause poisoning symptoms in a medium-sized dog. Symptoms of onion ingestion poisoning can vary. Watch out for the following signs in your dog:
If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms or are unsure, you should promptly visit a veterinarian. Seek veterinary advice even if you observe other unusual behaviors in your dog.
What to Do If My Dog Has Eaten Onions?
If your dog has eaten onions or other onion family members, you should promptly go to a veterinary clinic. Ideally, your dog should be induced to vomit within the first 1-2 hours after onion consumption by veterinary professionals. Caution: Never induce vomiting yourself. Such cases should definitely be handled by experts, and you should never act on your own.
If your dog is already showing symptoms of onion poisoning, he may need to be hospitalized. Our four-legged friends often require intravenous treatment to prevent further damage and permanent kidney damage. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may also be necessary.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Onions?
No, even cooked onions contain the toxic Alliin for our dogs. So, it doesn’t matter whether your dog has eaten onions raw, cooked, dried, or in powdered form – grab your pet and head to the veterinary clinic!
